Silver linings playbook: be the positivity

Autumn is coming, I tell you! Rain, rain, rain, and last but not least rain.
I notice how the changing weather and the amount of work from the last weeks is finally making my fire burn low. I hoped I wouldn’t be next, but yes, here it is: I’m having a cold. None of these things I let spoil my day, though.

So how this is how I got through a lesser day that just seemed to drag.

Smile for a while
Well, I started my day with Frank Sinatra. I love dancing and singing like nobody’s there (luckily there wasn’t). Doing something relaxing or something that makes you happy and smile in the morning can help you set a positive thought or mood for the rest of the day. When you feel good, the little things won’t get you that easy.
No energy to even lift a finger in the morning, especially on Monday’s? Try a light smile and notice how ‘forcing’ a smile can change the way you’re feeling. It works well enough for me! Also applicable when you’re wrought-up still (:

I’m singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin’
I’m happy again
I’m laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun’s in my heart
And I’m ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I’ve a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin’,
Singin’ in the rain

Showing admirationAt work I see people come and go the whole day. Most people enjoying their Monday’s just as much as I do *coughs. When something beautiful or positive about a person strikes me I’m not holding back to say the first thing that comes up in my mind. Why? Well, why not. It costs me nothing and well, I don’t know about you, but I enjoy it when someone else smiles. Sometimes a compliment is given back or a nice conversation arises and there’s a good vibe. When you’re cranky and act that way you’ll probably get the same reaction in return, which won’t make your day any better. This doesn’t mean to ignore your feelings, though! Acknowledge them, but know you’ll be fine (: Golden rule: be genuine. I only say what I really mean. I talked about it a few days ago with a colleague. She sometimes finds it hard to decide when to give a compliment or not. Somehow it can feel odd to do. Scared it’s found weird or fake. When you’re genuine you have no reason to worry if it sounds fake or weird. If the receiver feels awkward and weird about it, the problem is at the receiver’s end, probably not feeling it is ok to take in a compliment or believing it him or herself, because of the way they judge themselves.
When you receive a compliment just day ‘thank you’ and take it in (: It’s not required to give one back in return and you may believe you’ve actually deserved it. Why would one lie? Would you?

Every cloud has a silver liningAnd sometimes… sometimes your energy level just won’t get up and that’s ok. Sometimes you have no energy to speak or to dance around like a monkey to make your Monday’s better, but remember: even bad day’s have endings, it’s all temporary. Think of great things ahead (: